Vatican Dicasteries, Episcopal Conferences, relating to other churches and religions, the role of the Pope and moreWelcome the School for Synodality’s second podcast series: Reading the Final Document Together. Avril Baigent had a great conversation with our guest speaker Professor Cathy Clifford, on the fourth chapter called ‘The Conversion of Bonds’, talking about how the concept of parishes is being redefined in the face of rapid change, reflecting on how we personally view power structures, and the importance of lay people understanding these structures and how decisions are made. The Final Document was written by the 350 delegates of the16th ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, a month-long meeting in October 2024 of cardinals, bishops, Religious and lay men and women from around the world. It was the culmination of an extraordinary three-year global listening process. In the closing moments of the assembly, Pope Francis took the document to form part of the ordinary teaching of the church. The document is the fruit of the joys of these encounters, and can be downloaded for free via our website and in different languages on the Synod official website. In this series of six podcasts you are invited to join us as together we explore the Final Document, officially named For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission, and unpack its meaning so that we can begin to live out its fruits in our parishes, communities and wherever we are.   The School for Synodality is an organisation supporting the synodal conversion of the Catholic Church. Through conversations, resources and programmes, we aim to enable an openness to the Holy Spirit with listening, sharing and discernment. The website has guides and resources for prayer, discernment, and parish practice including downloadable materials for Reimaging Parish Pastoral Councils, Small Group Resources for exploring the Final Document further and Conversation in the Spirit videos and workshops.   Sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our activities. Episode 5: “Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship” In the next episode two expert speakers Fr David McCallum and Sandra Chaol, both of whom were also facilitators at the Rome Synod assembly join Avril to share their experiences of formation for Synodality and unpack the notion of synodal leadership. Links Podcast Episode 4: Transcript Full list of episodes The Heart of Synodality – Jos Moons SJ The Conversion of Relationships – Professor Anna Rowlands The Conversion of Processes – Dr Estela Padilla The Conversion of Bonds – Professor Cathy Clifford Forming a people for Missionary Discipleship – David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul A Feast for All peoples – what next for our Church? – Archbishop Jason Gordon